WelCom February 2023
If you would like your event listed free on this page, please send an outline to welcom@wn.catholic.org.nz including name of event, date, time, location and contact.
Sunday 5–Friday 10 February
Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania – this four-yearly meeting will take place in Suva, Fiji. It always an important gathering of the Bishops of Oceania and especially so this time as it involves the next stage of the Synod process, the Continental Phase. The other major theme will be the ecological crisis change in the region.
Monday 6 February
Waitangi Day – the customary Waitangi Day Mass to pray for this land and all who dwell here under the guardianship of the Treaty of Waitangi will be celebrated 9am, at St Mary of the Angels Church, Boulcott St. Celebrant is Cardinal John Dew. Please bring a plate of food to share for morning tea. All welcome.
Former St Mary of the Angels’ Director of Music Robert Oliver says, ‘When I started at St Mary of the Angels in 1999, I had the idea it would be a powerful gesture to bring together Māori waiata, chanted karakia, and gregorian chant. I found out about Te Ngākau Tapu parish in Porirua and visited Fr Colin Durning. Early in our conversation he quoted some James K Baxter and I said I had known Jim well during my five years as a postie, back in the 60s, thus a friendship was formed in an afternoon. When I met the congregation, they liked the idea, and Allan Thomas suggested we do a combined Mass, so our parishes combined for the first Waitangi Day Mass in 2003. It has now become a tradition.’
Saturday 11 February
Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes – World Day of Prayer for the Sick.
Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 February
Closing Masses – following property decisions for the parish of St Francis of Assisi Ohariu, the closing Mass for St Andrews, Newlands will be at 5pm, Saturday 11 February. The closing Mass for St Benedict’s Khandallah, will take place 9am, Sunday 12 February. All current and former parishioners most welcome.
From Sunday 19 February
Masses for the parish will be celebrated at Ss Peter and Paul Church, Johnsonville, the parish church for St Francis of Assisi Ohariu.
Sunday 12 February
World Marriage Day – ‘I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine’. – Solomon 6:3
Tuesday 14 February 2023
St Valentine’s Day – Mass at St Joseph’s Church, 152 Brougham St, Mt Victoria, celebrated by Cardinal John Dew, 6.30pm, followed by refreshments. This annual Mass is a celebration of love and marriage, all are welcome. For more information please contact Archdiocese of Wellington Marriage Ministries, email marriage@wn.catholic.org.nz or ph (04) 496-1706.
Wednesday 15 and Friday 17 February
Teachers’ Commissioning Masses – Archdiocese of Wellington, North Island: 5pm, 15 February, St Mary of the Angels Church, Boulcott St, Wellington. South Island: 6.30pm, 17 February, St Peter Chanel Church, Motueka. At these Masses teachers are commissioned for their mission in Catholic schools.
Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 February
Music and Memory concerts – English and Māori music, 2pm, 18 February, at Futuna Chapel, Karori; and 2pm, 19 February, at Te Ngākau Tapu, Porirua. Features ‘Palliser Viols on The Main Trunk Line with Barry Brickel’ including a five-minute film showing Barry Brickell at work as potter and railway builder; Palliser Viols playing music by Byrd, Tomkins, Simpson and Ross Harris. Free admission, limited space, booking essential. Go to www.violsonrails.com or ph 0210 257 4375.
Wednesday 22 February
Ash Wednesday, begins the season of Lent.
Saturday 25 February
Annual fair – the Missionary Sisters of St Peter Claver are holding their Annual Mission Fair in their convent grounds, 1 Mersey St, Island Bay, from 10am–1pm. All are welcome. (See story p 8.)
Liturgy workshop – the National Liturgy Office are running a workshop based on Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter Desiderio Desideravi, 10am–3pm, Ss Peter and Paul Church, Lower Hutt. Open to anyone involved in liturgies or interested in learning about key liturgy components. Please contact Christine on (04) 496-1706 or email c.walkerdine@wn.catholic.org.nz for more information and to register.
Saturday 18–Sunday 19 March
St Joseph’s Catholic School, Stratford – 125th Jubilee. Contact: admin@stjosephs-stratford.school.nz for more information and to register.